I'm With Stupid

I brought the Loaf to her two-year check up this past week and I was struck by how many parenting "tips" the doctors tend to ever-so-casually slip in during the visit. Maybe it's a new trend in pediatrics and they're just doing it to cover all the bases, making sure that every parent of a young child has all the latest parenting info, but I can't help but feel a little offended that the doctor feels it necessary to tell me not to let my child play in a swimming pool unattended, and that I should put sunscreen on her very fair skin. And reapply it after she's been in the water. My own skin in practically translucent, so yes, I've learned how to avoid a burn. And even though my daughter counts to ten in Spanish, they want to know if she knows how to feed herself yet. Um, yeah. With a utensil? No, we just set her down next to the cat on the floor and they share a dish. She especially likes the Tender Vittles with extra gravy.

Now, I understand they want to know where she's at developmentally. But what's this test they're giving me? Of course my daughter is in a car seat. I'm aware it's not the Seventies anymore.

I can understand them asking leading questions if I have exhibited some behavior or said something untoward that would arouse suspicion as to my parental abilities, but I don't recall saying anything to the tune of "Yeah, well, she does eat lots of healthy foods during the day but we just let her have that one bottle of Dr. Pepper before bedtime".

I know our children's physicians are there to help keep our kids healthy, prevent sickness and treat illnesses, but lately I feel like I'm the one getting checked out at the pediatrician's office. And, dude, I am way too old to be seeing a pediatrician.

Near Perfect Day

We took a trip over to Bear Brook State Park yesterday and had a fantastic time. We thought because of the holiday weekend it might be crazy crowded, but there weren't many people around. We plopped ourselves near the little beach and the kids played on swings, slides, in the water, did a little fishing (David caught two fish while poor Daddy got skunked) and we even got to watch a family of ducks looking for food along the shore. Sofia was just about in heaven. If it weren't for the mosquitoes, it would have been absolutely perfect. We grilled out and had some angus tenderloin tips with marinated veggies. The fresh air and running around jump started the kids' appetites. Sofia didn't bother with the bits of steak I had cut up for her- she just grabbed a hunk of meat and treated it like a chicken tender. Really, who needs forks?

All I can say is we need more three-day weekends...

Two Cool

The Loaf turned two last week and on Saturday we had a smashing party in her honor. Family and close friends gathered and a great time was had by all. We discovered our house can hold a lot of people without falling down, and that people love to dress up little girls in cute clothes. Sofia is well outfitted for a toddler pageant and if I were a different sort of mother, she'd be crowned in them all. We'll keep the modeling in the living room for now and here she is displaying the latest in toddler chic. She's 2 kool 4 skool...Oh, and for the record that is not someone kicking my daughter in the head. They were just showing off their fancy shoes.

Raindrops, Gutters and Ball Pits...Oh My

Our state has been hit hard with rain and many towns are experiencing flooding in the streets, homes and businesses. It has rained for many, many days. I think total accumulation is upwards of 10 inches. So far the new house is holding up, so we are counting our blessings. The pansies I planted out front however, are feeling the brutal effects of no gutters along the roof line above them. I noticed this when I planted them and placed them in such a way as to protect them from any direct hits from cascading rain water, but this has been too much rain, gutters or no, and they look beaten down, poor little things.

The kids I'm feeling badly for, too, but in a different way. They are a little wound up from not being able to play outside. I am a little wound up, myself and while I'm happy to not have to be watering the grass twice a day any more, (I'm fairly certain I will not need to water again for the remainder of the season) I could stand to get outside and feel some sunshine again. I'm directing my energy toward another painting project, so I have an outlet, but the kids just need to get out and run around a bit or they go nutty. Ernesto's mom sent Sofia out an early birthday present and just in time, too. It's one of those inflatable bouncers that's shaped like a castle with all the plastic balls that you can jump into. She gave us the go-ahead to get it set up early so that the kids could get some exercise and have a little fun. We put it in the rec room in the basement and Ernesto couldn't get the thing blown up fast enough. They were jumping all over it before he even got the bottom half inflated. They were dinging each other off the head with those colorful, plastic balls in no time and so... the day was saved.

And now we've got a raft in case the rain doesn't stop. Gracias, Abue!

He's Crafty

The other morning I was asking David to do something (I can't recall what) and then I had to ask him a second time because he wasn't listening. Then, after no response, I address him a third time.

"David, did you hear what I said?" I'm such a mother. Ugh.

Under his breath, "Yes, Mommy Poopus."

"What did you say?" I'm actually too amused to be mad, but trying to hide it.

He looks up at me from the cars he's playing with and smiles the cheesiest smile, ever.
"I said, 'Yes, my lovely mother'." His eyelashes flutter.

I pat him on the head. "That's my boy."

Cool Sounds

I came across this website one day when David asked what sound a whale makes. I tried poorly to imitate one and I think I strained my larynx, so I just looked it up online. What would I do without the internet?? Anyway, the link features whale, dinosaur, storm and space sounds all very cool. Whether or not you've got kids, you'll find it fascinating. Or maybe I'm just a geek. A geek whose learning a lot from her kids, that is.